Theo Walcott's Arsenal Contract Situation

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Transfer News

According to Jeremy Wilson at The Telegraph, Theo Walcott's refusal to sign a contract extension could lead to Arsenal selling him. Liverpool have asked the Gunners about the possibility of signing the speedster, and Manchester City may also submit a bid.

Reaction

Walcott's gripe with Arsenal is being forced to play as a winger. People often forget that he came to the club as a forward. He knows the club won't pay him £100,000 per week and will sell him now as opposed to letting him go on a Bosman.

Don't be surprised if Walcott resents Arsène Wenger because the Frenchman hasn't lived up to his promise:

The boss has always promised me I will get a chance to play up front, so it’s been six years and if I just keep on scoring and doing well, I’ll maybe get a chance up front with Robin. I’m not demanding anything, but I’m giving the boss something to think about.

That was last year, and now Walcott's demands are giving Wenger some food for thought. The signings of Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski may have pushed Walcott over the edge.

Liverpool would give Walcott a legitimate chance of starting as a No. 9 because Luis Suárez's finishing has deteriorated and Fabio Borini is still in the process of acclimating to Premier League football.

Stéphane Mbia and Joey Barton Heading Opposite Ways?

According to L'Équipe, Marseille's Stéphane Mbia may become Queens Park Rangers' newest signing. The link between the two clubs is that Joey Barton wants to play for Marseille.

Reaction

Even though Mbia has more impact as a midfielder, he did help Nicolas N'Koulou make the transition from a Ligue 1 standard player to one of the league's best centre-backs.

The most interesting facet of the deal is how Barton ties in. The two deals might not be directly related, but since QPR are handing Barton to Marseille, the French club seem willing to deal Mbia the other way.

Barton could have issues breaking into Marseille's first XI. Benoit Cheyrou is a pivotal part to Élie Baup's team, and Charles Kaboré is a better tackler than the Englishman.